ALTA - The Manifesto
Our science
An electrolyte is a mineral that carries an electrical charge when dissolved in water. These charged particles (e.g. sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium) are essential for maintaining balance within your body’s internal systems. They help regulate hydration, nerve function, muscle contraction, and even the rhythm of your heartbeat.
Mitochondria are microscopic structures within the cells that produce chemical energy to power the cell’s biochemical reactions. Mitochondria convert the nutrients you eat and the oxygen you breathe into a molecule called ATP, which is the fuel your body uses for almost every function (including moving, thinking, repairing, recovering).
Taurine is a simple but unique sulfur-containing amino acid that has multiple physiological functions, including the maintenance of mitochondria health. Taurine serves a wide variety of functions in the central nervous system, from development to cytoprotection.
Read MoreTaurine is a simple but unique sulfur-containing amino acid that has multiple physiological functions, including the maintenance of mitochondria health. Taurine serves a wide variety of functions in the central nervous system, from development to cytoprotection.
Evidence from both human and animal studies indicates that taurine may have beneficial cardiovascular effects, including blood pressure regulation, improved cardiac fitness, and enhanced vascular health. Its mechanisms of action and antioxidant properties make it also an intriguing candidate for potential anti-aging strategies.Source: Nutrients 2023, 15, 4236. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15194236
Taurine is a simple but unique sulfur-containing amino acid that has multiple physiological functions, including the maintenance of mitochondria health. While taurine is widely known as an antioxidant, its underlying mechanism remains unclear as taurine is not a radical scavenger. [...] Taurine also regulates intracellular calcium homeostasis and intracellular antioxidant activity and inhibits apoptosis. As evidenced in many in vitro, in vivo and clinical studies on taurine supplementation, the occurrence of mitochondrial dysfunction, reduced energy production, oxidative stress and apoptosis are mostly inhibited. Taurine therapy, therefore, could potentially improve mitochondrial health.Source: Molecules 2021, 26, 4913. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26164913
Taurine is an organic osmolyte involved in cell volume regulation, and provides a substrate for the formation of bile salts. It plays a role in the modulation of intracellular free calcium concentration, and although it is one of the few amino acids not incorporated into proteins, taurine is one of the most abundant amino acids in the brain, retina, muscle tissue, and organs throughout the body. Taurine serves a wide variety of functions in the central nervous system, from development to cytoprotection, and taurine deficiency is associated with cardiomyopathy, renal dysfunction, developmental abnormalities, and severe damage to retinal neurons.Source: Molecular Vision 2012; 18:2673-2686. http://www.molvis.org/molvis/v18/a275
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a compound that is an essential component of the mitochondrial electron transport chain and has properties related to bioenergetic and antioxidant activity.
Read MoreCoenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is an endogenous lipid-soluble benzoquinone compound that functions as a diffusible electron carrier in the electron transport chain. It is prevalent in all human tissues and organs, although it is mainly biosynthesised and concentrated in tissues with high energy turnover. [...] CoQ10 has properties related to bioenergetic and antioxidant activity; thus, it is intimately involved in energy production and in the prevention of peroxidative damage to membrane phospholipids and of free radical-induced oxidation. These properties make it suitable as a dietary supplement to improve cellular bioenergetics and to inhibit certain age-related pathologies. Source: Current Drug Metabolism, Volume 17, Issue 4, 2016. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26526835/
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is an essential component of the mitochondrial electron transport chain. It is also an antioxidant in cellular membranes and lipoproteins. More studies needed / bioavailability. Source: Mechanisms of Ageing and Development, Volume 197, July 2021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mad.2021.111521
[...] although the data are inconclusive, they suggest that CoQ10 supplementation may be an interesting molecule in health or disease in individuals without a pathological deficiency and when used for optimising exercise performance. Considering the results observed in the literature, and as a conclusion of this systematic review, we could say that it is an interesting molecule in sports performance. However, clear approaches should be considered when conducting future research.Source: Nutrients 2022, 14, 1811. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14091811
Both compounds seem to work together to enhance mitochondrial function, reduce oxidative stress, and improve ATP production, based on the current, available research.
Read MoreTaurine and CoQ10 each play distinct yet complementary roles in supporting mitochondrial function:
1) Taurine contributes to mitochondrial health by stabilizing membranes and regulating calcium levels, which are crucial for optimal mitochondrial performance.
2) CoQ10 is integral to the electron transport chain, facilitating ATP production and serving as a potent antioxidant.
When combined, taurine and CoQ10 may synergistically enhance mitochondrial efficiency and resilience. Taurine's role in maintaining calcium homeostasis complements CoQ10's function in electron transport and oxidative phosphorylation, potentially leading to improved cellular energy metabolism. Additionally, both compounds possess antioxidant properties that can mitigate oxidative stress, a key factor in mitochondrial dysfunction.
This synergistic interaction suggests that co-supplementation with taurine and CoQ10 could be beneficial in supporting mitochondrial health, particularly in conditions characterized by increased oxidative stress or impaired energy metabolism. However, while this assessment is based on current scientific understanding and available evidence, further research will be needed to fully understand the extent of such synergy.